[Credence immediately sits back up, ramrod straight in his chair, wincing at the pressure it puts on his lower back.

The serious expression he'd been wearing, to show the people of his husband's kingdom that he wouldn't take their issues lightly, falters. A little hint of embarrassment and newly minted affection creep onto his face. Credence doesn't want to press his luck or assume that the King is as kind and generous and wonderful as he thinks he might be, but he can't help it. It's been a day and he's already smitten. He turns his hand over, wiggling his fingers.]

No. [His shoulders sag.] I mean, yes.

[He looks up, brows furrowed in worry. If he says what he wants, Graves might not like it or might decide not to give it to him. Credence figures that if he goes for it and something bad happens, it'll only be what he's used to, but last night makes him think of the what-ifs.]

We're so far apart. We've been that way all day.

[No, that sounds needy. Too desperate, but he really does mean it. Credence fumbles over the right words, tries to pull his hand away.]

I just meant that.. I liked what we did. No, I mean.

[Credence feels like he's on fire, flushing from head to toe, warm and uncomfortable all at once.]

We were sitting together all day and you didn't touch me. We couldn't even touch each other.

[And he missed it, already, misses him.]